Road to success

[procrastinator911, BSN, RN]

Hello All

I currently work in the Operating Room but i want to transition into pediatrics and then become a clinical nurse specialist. Any advice for applying and interviewing to get into pediatrics. I know it's hard to transition into specialties without experience. I am looking for any advice that will help me appear more marketable and make this transition.

Thank you

[RunBabyRN]

How long have you been in the OR? Do you have at least a year or two of experience? Have you obtained your PALS certification? Check out any pediatric nursing certifications and associations. Those help build your resume in that area, and show your interest.

Good luck!

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Do you care for kids in the OR?

if so, I would emohasize

you are a pain control advocate and then mention nonpharmacologocal means like play therapy, imagery, use of Child Life specialists

you believe strongly in pt and family centered care, allowing parents to bring their child to the OR

You enjoy and participate in open visitation, 24/7 and like the interaction with families

those are some things I can come up with off the top of my head. Best wishes

[procrastinator911, BSN, RN]

Thank you very much. I appreciate the advice. I have been in the OR for a year. I will look into associations. I hope there are some cost effective options as well

[procrastinator911, BSN, RN]

Unfortunately I do not care for children in the OR. Those are great suggestions though. Anything else that might help?

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Sorry - maybe reading up on those subjects would help?

How do you know you want to do peds? Do you have other experience to draw from?

[~PedsRN~, BSN, RN]

Do you know anyone that works in pediatrics? Maybe contact a nurse manager in your facility about "shadowing". :) Good luck!

[procrastinator911, BSN, RN]

I have experience working with children. I use to work as a teacher's assistant, but unfortunately nothing in nursing. Out of all my clinicals I really enjoyed my pediatric rotations. I even did my practicum on a pediatric hematology unit. I have some time before I make this transition, so I plan to review and look up PEDs info because it had been awhile

[procrastinator911, BSN, RN]

Unfortunately I have no contacts in pediatrics. I do plan to contact some nurse recruiters and pediatric educators and ask them some questions.